Few weeks back... As I was trying to get out of my room, the door was locked on the inside and in a half-asleep 3am daze didn't realise, just thought I hadn't pushed the handle down far enough, so pulled harder and the bloody thing came off in my hand.

Went to the hardware store the next day, got some slightly bigger screws, which seemed to be gripping well and the handle seemed to be fitted good as new. However, its slackened off again today.

Would some 'no more nails', or amusingly-named 'sticks like sh*t' do the job to fit the handle in place? and then re-fit the screws into the holes without over tightening.

Cheers

I fixed a handrail on our stairs that came away from the wall taking the plasterboard out with it. I used Araldite to fix the screw plugs in, worked a treat. I'd use that. No more nails is a bit feeble.

Keep hold of the original handle and screws, and buy a new door.

lol, due to certain circumstances i cant see that being a viable option.

cheers dhm, i'll get some adhesive tomorrow.

If it's a solid wood door then push matchsticks into the holes then reattach the handle with the screws. Should be sufficient. Could also use rawlplugs. if matchsticks don't work.

If it's a cheapo hollow-core door this won't work and no-nails is your quickest & cheapest option if there is enough contact surface on the back plate and you're not bothered about getting it off without fuss in the future (I'm guessing student house). Although probably not strictly necessary if you are careful, use a G-cramp to hold it in place while it sets fully to avoid it getting knocked.

correct it is student accommodation, will get myself over to screwfix in the morning. cheers.

bit confused now, as spoke to two of my mates who have both done a bit of work in carpentry with door fitting experience etc, one reckons gripfill will hold it on no bother pretty much similar to the above comment about it not coming off, another lad reckons if i fit the handle back to the door with a gripfill type product that it will come loose again in a short space of time.

gonna get a load of matchsticks as well and some wood glue, here goes nothing...

I don't think it will work for long on its own but it is providing back-up to the screw fixings. Squeeze some into the screw holes as well. If not cramped in place I'd try to leave it 24 hours without pulling the handle if possible to let the adhesive cure thoroughly.

be a bit more gentle next time when opening/closing the door.

i would go with the matchstick idea. done it myself and the handles are still on years later......no gripfill/glue or no nails used.

Just match sticks in the screw holes? no wood glue? read a few articles, some use it, some dont bother.

Take the door off and fit a curtain.
Cushty ... and sophisticated.

Yeah just matchsticks on their own should work to pack the hole and provide a bit of extra "bite" for the screws. Depends on whether you push them in and they disappear into a void in the door where it has been mortised too big or larger for an old latch/lock. It's the cheapest method, but not guaranteed to be successful in every case. Tighten the screws as much as you can or does this affect the operation of the latch? If you need to slacken the screws to get the latch springing back properly and then the handle is coming loose after a while, the screws could be slightly too short.